The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) was granted liberty to appear in this appeal as amicus curiae in accordance with section 10(2)(e) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
The case (Sweeney v. Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General) has been appealed directly from the High Court to the Supreme Court due to the important constitutional issues at question. The case explores the nature and extent of the right to silence, privilege against self-incrimination, and the offence of withholding information under section 9(1)(b) of the Offences Against the State Acts (“the OSA”).